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Primaries in 7th and 10th districts defined by crowded field
Primary elections for two open seats in Congress will largely be determined by turnout, experts told VPM News. Virginia’s 7th and 10th Congressional Districts will be without an incumbent, following the resignations of Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D) and Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D). “Most of these candidates are going to agree on 90, maybe even 95% of the issues,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a professor at the University of Mary Washington. “When you have this kind of intramural party contest, it’s often hard, particularly in a big field, to stand up for something that others are not also standing up for.”
Virginia Beach Republican Party chairwoman indicted on felony wire communications charge
The chairwoman of the Republican Party of Virginia Beach was indicted this week on a felony charge of intercepting wire communications. Laura K. Hughes, an attorney and former Virginia Beach School Board member, was indicted Monday by a Virginia Beach grand jury, according to online court records. The crime carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Northampton County Commonwealth’s Attorney Jack Thornton on Thursday confirmed that his office was asked to handle the case after Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney Colin Stolle recused himself. Stolle is a longtime member of the local Republican Party.
Yancey: Roanoke, which elected a Black majority council in 2020, could wind up with no Black members
Roanoke’s Democratic primary for the city council didn’t exactly come to a screeching halt this week — it will still go on because the law says it must go on — but it was essentially rendered moot. There had been four candidates seeking three slots (Roanoke elects all its council members at large). One of those four candidates, Jamaal Jackson, dropped out under mysterious circumstances. Or maybe not so mysterious. The Roanoke Rambler reports a variety of alleged problems with the petitions that Jackson filed to qualify for the ballot, including an allegation that “Jackson’s campaign improperly copied voter signatures obtained during his unsuccessful 2022 bid for Council onto 2024 paperwork for the June 18 Democratic primary.” (Jackson has declined to discuss the matter.)
Rozell: Sorry, Democrats, but Trump can win Virginia
Democrats might be tempted to consider the commonwealth friendly territory in this year’s presidential election. They have enjoyed a streak of success since 2008, winning the four intervening presidential elections, including two over this year’s Republican nominee and former president, Donald Trump — the most recent a 10-percentage-point victory in 2020. Democrats are energized in some spots across the state, but not by the top-of-the-ballot race. They’re waging difficult campaigns in two swing congressional districts — Virginia’s 7th and 10th — where Democratic incumbents Abigail Spanberger and Jennifer Wexton, respectively, are not seeking reelection.
Virginia Beach Republican Party chair indicted on charge of intercepting wire communications
The chairwoman of the Virginia Beach Republican Party has been indicted on a felony charge of intercepting wire communications, online court documents show. Laura Hughes was indicted by a grand jury on Monday with an offense date of Feb. 21. It’s unclear what the charges stem from.
Biden picks Virginia man to lead outreach to Republican voters
President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign has chosen a Fauquier County man to lead its national initiative to reach out to Republican voters who are disenchanted with former President Donald Trump for the coming presidential election rematch in November. Austin Weatherford, a veteran of Republican congressional politics, will serve as “national Republican engagement director” for the reelection campaign of Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Pittsylvania County data center project would be years in making, ‘in no way a done deal’
A massive data center proposed in Ringgold would be years in the making if it’s approved by the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors. Matt Rowe, the economic development director for Pittsylvania County, said leaders asked him to find additional industrial opportunities. “My personal goal is always, do what we can to find ways to leverage the tax base,” Rowe told the Register & Bee in an interview Wednesday. Normally this kind of economic development project is kept under tight wraps with anyone with knowledge sworn to secrecy.
D.C. Circuit to hear battle over Virginia offshore wind
Critics of an offshore wind farm in Virginia are taking their fight against the project to a powerful federal appeals court. In a Wednesday filing, the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow, Heartland Institute, and National Legal and Policy Center said they are asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to reverse a May ruling that denied their bid to block a 176-turbine Dominion Energy wind project off the coast of Virginia Beach.
Cellphone ban in Chesapeake schools a success in first year, officials say
Students are less disruptive and paying more attention in class after the Chesapeake school division banned phones and personal devices this school year, officials said. The division revised its policy and regulations around the use of phones, tablets and other personal electronics last summer. Before the change, students were allowed to use them for classwork if teachers allowed them. The new rule requires devices to be off and put away — in a bag, locker or vehicle — during school hours.
Richmond housing authority CEO calls plan a ‘last chance’ opportunity to tackle evictions
The Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority (RRHA) presented its “Compassion Action” plan in what it says is a “last chance” effort to help residents to pay their rent on time. The RRHA’s CEO, Steven Nesmith, presented the new plan on Thursday, June 6. This comes after the RRHA previously announced in April that about 60% of families were behind on rent payments which totaled more than $3 million.